Free Family Fun in the Saratoga Area

1. Tours of the Oklahoma Track
The Oklahoma Track is where the horses exercise during the season and is part of the Saratoga Racecourse. The tour is led by Tom Gallo and sponsored by the Parting Glass Restaurant. They meet at 8 a.m. and will give a tour of the backstretch area where you will be introduced to some legendary horses and trainers while watching these amazing animals “workout”. It’s a great way and FREE way to get a behind the scenes look at horse racing, owning and training. You never know, you just might pick up a tip to use if you bet during the season. Reservations are required and can be made by either calling or emailing the Parting Glass.

One of the best parts of track season, at least for me, is Breakfast at the Track. There are no crowds, you’re able to roam the track and get up close and personal with the horses and admission is free. Even though there is a charge for the breakfast buffet ($14.95 for adults and $7.95 for children 3-12), a tram tour of the backstretch area, watching the Paddock Show and a Starting Gate Demonstration are available after breakfast and are all free.

3. Parks

There are several parks in the Saratoga area among those are Congress Park, Camp Saratoga and Adirondack State Park.

has a great history and even though admission to the park –it’s statues, walking areas, fountains and lush picnic areas — is free, within the park is The Canfield Casino and the Carousel, both of which have admission fees.

Pack a picnic lunch and spread a blanket on the ground, enjoy the shade of a tree and people watch. Or attend some of the free events that the park hosts like concerts and art shows.

With walking trails, a fishing pond and BBQ area Camp Saratoga might be one of the best kept secrets in the Saratoga area. Located in Wilton, Camp Saratoga allows trout fishing in Delegan Pond from April 1st to July 1st for those 16 and under. After July 1st adults can fish until October

1st. There is no cost to fish as long as you have a valid NYS fishing license and 2 fish can be kept.

is over 6 million acres with picnic areas and scenic drives. More on that later.

4. Walking Trails

I was surprised at how many walking trails there are in the Saratoga area. I’m sure I’ve only discovered a fraction of them. This past Saturday we ventured out to Camp Saratoga, Opdahl Farm and Louden trail all in Wilton, took a long walk and lots photos. Opdahl Farm is home of the Karner Blue butterfly, a rare and endangered butterfly. They’re very small and not easy to see so be sure to keep an eye out for them on the path and in the fields. Louden Trail is near Wilton Mall with parking on Louden Road. It was hard to imagine a pine needle lined path that winds its way through the woods so close to the mall.

Here’s a tip: if you’re going to be walking on any of these trails be sure to wear the proper clothing and shoes, they maybe walking trails and even though they are well maintained there still might a few tree roots or stones on the paths. And very important: use bug spray. More than likely there will be many, many mosquitoes.

Not into walking trails? Then you can try an early morning or an evening walk at Wilton Mall, inside and air conditioned for those days when it’s too hot to walk outside, and while your there you can window shop….which leads me to my next free activity.

5. Window shopping

Broadway in downtown Saratoga Springs is the perfect small town street for window shopping. The landscape is changing with new and unique shops opening. You can stroll down the street from one unique shop to another and even though you might be tempted to drop some cash in one or more, you can get away completely free including parking and still have a nice walk, especially if you include a stroll through Congress Park. While downtown checking out the windows, don’t forget to look up and take in some of the amazing architecture that can be found on Broadway — Greek Revival, Late Victorian and Classical Revival from 1800-1899.

Wilton Mall also provides an opportunity to window shop with too many stores to mention. Walk from store to store and price items then come back when you’re ready to buy.

6. Fishing Spots

There is no doubt that Saratoga Springs and the surrounding area is full of lakes, streams, creeks and ponds but some, well most, are on private property and don’t offer public access for fishrmen. But if you know where to look you can find a fishing spot that might be secluded enough for you to catch “the big one.” As I mentioned before Delegan Pond at Camp Saratoga offers free trout fishing and is a lovely spot to spend an afternoon. Ballston Lake also offers a fishing pier, free of charge. There are many spots along the Kaydeross Creek that offer public access along with walking trails and scenic spots. The Hudson River offers several public fishing spots, although it can prove rather difficult with boaters on the water churning it up. There is one spot (that I want to keep secret) that my husband and I love on the Hudson. We try to go on a weeknight when there aren’t any crowds (or really any people at all) since it seems to be a popular spot on the weekends. Round Lake also has free public access for fishing but can be a popular spot since it’s appropriate for families with young children. I’m sure there are other free fishing spots…so if you care to share I’d be happy to find more.

7. Kayak and Canoe Put in Access

Just like fishing in Saratoga (and surrounding areas) there are many places to put in a kayak or canoe. Ballston Lake and Round Lake are both good areas, along with several places along the Hudson River. The Kaydeross Creek offers put in spots but if there hasn’t been much rain the creek might actually be too low to kayak or canoe in, same for the Battenkill.

8. Historic Sites

Here are a two examples of historic sites that can be visited for free:

The Drinkhall also known as the Saratoga Visitor’s Center, listed on the Register of Historic Places in 1974.

The Gideon Putnam Burying Ground located on Franklin St., listed on the Register of Historic Places in 2003.

Although other historical sites might be on private property there will still be markers with information about what happened and who was involved. This is a small sampling:

General Henry Knox Trail in Bemis Heights at the intersection of US 4 and NY Rte 32.

Colonel Ellsworth, Lincoln’s first law clerk burial spot, located at Central Ave South and South Street in Mechanicville.

The 77th Regiment NY Volunteers marker located in Congress Park

Site of Camp of General Burgoyne located in Schuylerville on Spring Street

The Surrender Tree located in Fort Hardy Park on Ferry St in Schuylerville

British Army Grounded Arms is at the entrance of Fort Hardy Park

You can’t deny that this area of Upstate NY is filled with history — battlefields, markers and cemeteries making it an easy and fun way to walk on some of the same ground that was walked by those who’ve only read about in history books.

9. Scenic Drives

When we first moved to Saratoga we took a few weekends and evenings to just orientate ourselves to the area and what we found was a place that was dotted with farms, babbling brooks, creeks and magnificent scenery all around. Now I know that a drive isn’t really free (cost of gas has to count for something) but if you’re looking for some stunning scenery to photograph or maybe a hidden place to have a picnic then hop in the car and drive. I promise you won’t be disappointed. A sure fire scenic drive is through the Adirondack State Park — all six million acres of it. Rte 28 is a popular road that goes through the park and through small towns and past pristine lakes. The Adirondack Scenic Byway offers three scenic drives, one on the Adirondack Trail; which runs through the center of the park and has an interpretive center and let’s you take in some spectacular scenery at Tupper Lake, Blue Mountain and Indian Lake. The second is The Adirondack Central Trail which starts above the Hudson River in Glens Falls where you will travel the north end of Lake George along the 32 mile length then up into the mountains. The third is the Olympic Byway which runs past Whiteface Mountain and along the Ausable River to the Olympic Village in Lake Placid. This route joins the Seaway Trail near Sacketts Harbor on Lake Ontario

10. Tour of Springs

A trip to Saratoga Springs wouldn’t be complete without a tour of the 17 mineral springs that make up Saratoga Springs. Each one has it’s own unique flavor and mineral content. For a self guided tour visit the Visitor’s Center for a map and brochure and don’t forget to bring your cup.

So that’s it. My top 10 free things to do in Saratoga and the surrounding areas. Hope one them sparks your interest enough that you want to try it. Have other ideas for free fun? Feel free to share. After all, nothing beats free!